Dr Keong Yap

I am a Deputy Head of School at the School of Behavioural and Health Sciences, Strathfield campus. I have a Bachelors of Social Science (Honours) from the National University of Singapore, a Doctorate of Clinical Psychology from the University of Melbourne, and a PhD from the University of New South Wales.  I am a registered psychologist with clinical endorsement and a PsyBA accredited supervisor, and have taught into clinical psychology programs since 2007. I joined ACU in 2015 to assist in setting up the Master of Psychology (Clinical) course in the Strathfield campus.

My research interests are in the area of clinical psychology and focuses on obsessive-compulsive disorder and hoarding disorder. I am also very interested in examining transdiagnostic processes and the application of mindfulness and acceptance-based therapies (e.g., acceptance and commitment therapy) for these conditions. For further details:  https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Keong_Yap/contributions

Please also visit the ACU Strathfield Clinical Psychology Research Lab https://www.acu.edu.au/about-acu/faculties-directorates-and-staff/faculty-of-health-sciences/school-of-behavioural-and-health-sciences/research/the-clinical-psychology-lab-strathfield-campus

Recent selected peer-reviewed publications

2024

Corkish, B. & Yap, K. (2024). Does mental contamination mediate the association between childhood trauma and obsessive-compulsive symptoms in adults? Child Abuse & Neglect, 152, 106789. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chiabu.2024.106789

Yap, K., Timpano, K. R., Schmidt, N., & Grisham, J.R. (2024). An online experimental test of the compensatory process in hoarding disorder: Reducing loneliness and its effects on object attachment. Current Psychology, http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s12144-024-05895-9

Ciarrochi, J., Sahdra, B., Fraser, M. I., Hayes, S. C., Yap, K., & Gloster, A. T. (2024). The compassion connection: Experience sampling insights into romantic attraction. Journal of Contextual Behavioral Science, 32, 100749. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcbs.2024.100749

2023

Lee-Aube, A., Vakili, A., Padhi, A., Joseph, S., Norcott, J., & Yap, K. (2023). Reducing seclusion and restraint in an acute adolescent psychiatric ward: A feasibility study. Journal of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing. https://doi.org/10.1111/jpm.13000

Kaufmann, S., Ciarrochi, J., Yap, K., & Fraser, M. I. (2023). Perceived Parenting Style and Adolescent Self-Compassion: A Longitudinal, Within-Person Approach. Mindfulness. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12671-023-02232-2

Sahdra, B. K., Ciarrochi, J., Fraser, M. I., Yap, K., Haller, E., Hayes, S. C., Hofmann, S. G., & Gloster, A.       T. (2023). The Compassion Balance: Understanding the Interrelation of Self- and Other-Compassion for Optimal Well-being. Mindfulness, 14(8), 1997-2013.            https://doi.org/10.1007/s12671-023-02187-4

Grisham, J. R., Norberg, M. M. & Yap, K. (2023). Treatment of hoarding disorder. In Tolin D. F.     (Ed.). The Oxford handbook of obsessive-compulsive and related disorders (2^nd ed., pp 615-  648). Oxford University Press.   http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/oxfordhb/9780190068752.013.23

Yap, K., Timpano, K. R., Isemann, S., Svehla, J., & Grisham, J. R. (2023). High levels of loneliness in people with hoarding disorder. Journal of Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders, 37, 100806. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jocrd.2023.100806

Laving, M., Foroni, F., Ferrari, M., Turner, C., & Yap, K. (2023). The association between OCD and Shame: A systematic review and meta-analysis. British Journal of Clinical Psychology, 62(1), 28-52. https://doi.org/10.1111/bjc.12392

Dabb, C., Dryers, R., Brunton, R. J., Yap, K., & Roach, V. J. (2023).  Paternal pregnancy-related anxiety: Systematic review of men's concerns and experiences during their partners' pregnancies. Journal of Affective Disorders, 323, 640-658. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2022.11.092

2022

Grisham, J. R., Yap, K., Isemann, S., Svehla, J., Briggs, N., & Norberg, M. M. (2022). A naturalistic study of emotion regulation-enhanced cognitive-behavioral group therapy for hoarding disorder in a community setting. Journal of Affective Disorders Reports, 10, 100450. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadr.2022.100450

Ferrari, M., Beath, A., Einstein, D.A., Yap, K., & Hunt, C. (2022). Gender differences in self-compassion: a latent profile analysis of compassionate and uncompassionate self-relating in    a large adolescent sample. Current Psychology. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-022-03408-0

Yap, K., Chen, W., Wong, S. F., Isemann, S., Svehla, J., Grisham, J. R. (2022). Is it as good as being in person? The effectiveness of a modified clinician facilitated Buried in Treasures group for hoarding disorder using video teleconferencing. Psychiatry Research. 314, 114631. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychres.2022.114631

Ferrari, M., Ciarrochi, J., Yap, K., Sahdra, B., Hayes, S. C. (2022). Embracing the Complexity of our Inner Worlds: Understanding the Dynamics of Self-Compassion and Self-Criticism. Mindfulness. 13, 1652-1661. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12671-022-01897-5

Ciarrochi, J., Hayes, S. C., Hayes, L., Sahdra, B., Ferrari, M., Yap, K. & Hofmann, S. (2022). From Package to Process: An Evidence-based Approach to Processes of Change in Psychotherapy. In G. J. G. Asmundson. (Ed.). Comprehensive Clinical Psychology (2^nd. Edition), pp 26-44. Elsevier. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-818697-8.00085-6

2021

Arrow, K., Yap, K., & Chester, A. (2021). Group Climate in Online Group Cognitive Behaviour Therapy predicts Treatment Outcomes. Clinical Psychologist, 25(2), 153-163.  https://doi.org/10.1080/13284207.2020.1829944

Australian Postgraduate Psychology Simulation Education Working Group (2021). A new reality: The role of simulated learning activities in postgraduate psychology training programs. Frontiers   in Education, 6. Article 653269. https://doi.org/10.3389/feduc.2021.653269

Kings, C., Moulding, R., Yap, K., Gazzola, R., & Knight, T. (2021). Measuring Possessions as Extensions of Self and Links to Significant Others in Hoarding: The Possessions as Others and Self  Inventory. Journal of Psychopathology and Behavioral Assessment, 43, 441-453.         https://doi.org/10.1007/s10862-020-09858-9

Scott, J., Yap, K., Bunch, K., Haarhoff, B., Perry, H., Bennett-Levy, J. (2021). Should personal practice be part of cognitive behaviour therapy training? Results from two self-practice/self-reflection  (SP/SR) cohort control studies. Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy. 28(1), 150-158        https://doi.org/10.1002/cpp.2497

Yap, K. & Grisham, J. R. (2021). Object Attachment in hoarding disorder and its role in a   compensatory process. Current Opinion in Psychology. 39, 76-81.   https://doi.org/10.1016/j.copsyc.2020.07.022

Yap, K., Sheen, J., Nedeljkovic, M., Milne, L., Lawrence, K., & Hay, M. (2021). Assessing clinical competencies using the Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) in psychology   training. Clinical Psychologist, 25(3), 260-270.  https://doi.org/10.1080/13284207.2021.1932452

2020

Ciarrochi, J., Sahdra, B. K., Yap, K. & Dicke, T. (2020). The role of nonattachment in the development of adolescent mental health: a three-year longitudinal study. Mindfulness 11, 2131-2139. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12671-020-01421-7

Cooper, D., Yap, K., Brien, M., & Scott, I. (2020). Mindfulness and empathy among counseling and psychotherapy professionals: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Mindfulness, 11, 2243-2257. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12671-020-01425-3

Eppingstall, J., Xenos, S., & Yap, K. (2020) Acceptance and commitment therapy for hoarding disorder: A proposed treatment protocol for individuals. Australian Psychologist. https://doi.org/10.1111/ap.12438

Frei, J. M., Sazhin, V., Fick, M., & Yap, K. (2020). Emotion-oriented coping style predicts self-harm in response to acute psychiatric hospitalization. Crisis - The Journal of Crisis Intervention and  Suicide Prevention. 42, 3. https://doi.org/10.1027/0227-5910/a000713

Yap, K. & Grisham, J. R. (2020). Object attachment and emotions in hoarding disorder.Comprehensive Psychiatry, 100, 152179. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.comppsych.2020.152179

Yap, K., Eppingstall, J., Brennan, C., Le, B., & Grisham, J. R. (2020). Emotional attachment to objects mediates the relationship between loneliness and hoarding symptoms, 24, 100487, doi: 10.1016/j.jocrd.2019.100487

2019

Yap, K., & Grisham, J. R. (2019). Unpacking the construct of emotional attachment to objects and its association with hoarding symptoms.  Journal of Behavioral Addictions, 8(2), 249-258. doi: 0.1556/2006.8.2019.15

Linardon, J., Gleeson, J., Yap, K., Murphy, K., & Brennan, L. (2019). Meta-analysis of the effects of third-wave behavioural interventions on disordered eating and body image concerns: Implications for eating disorder prevention. Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, 48(1), 15-38. https://doi.org/10.1080/16506073.2018.1517389

2018

Frost, R. O., Gabrielson, I., Deady, S., Dernbach, K. B., Guevara, G., Peeeles-Dorin, M., Yap, K., & Grisham, J. R. (2018). Scrupulosity and hoarding. Comprehensive Psychiatry, 86, 19-24. doi: 10.1016/j.comppsych.2018.06.011

• Registered Psychologist with clinical psychology endorsement, Psychology Board of Australia (Reg No. PSY0001123023)
• AHPRA accredited clinical supervisor for High Degree and Registrar Programs
• Australia Psychological Society (APS Membership No. 106036)
• APS College of Clinical Psychologists
• Working with Children Check, NSW
• Australian Association for Cognitive and Behaviour Therapy, member
• Association for Contextual Behavioral Science, member